Wilgefortis was a teen-aged noblewoman whose father engaged her to marry a Pagan king. To avoid the marriage, Wilgefortis took a vow of virginity and prayed she would be made repulsive. In answer to her prayers, she grew a beard.
I would say that Wilgefortis got off fairly easy compared to some other female martyrs (Apollonia had her teeth pulled, Agatha lost her breasts before being forced to roll naked on a bed of coals, Catherine was rolled down a hill, tied to a spiked wheel, Lucia plucked out her eyes and gave them to the pagan suitor who said he couldn't resist their beauty, Ursula was beheaded along with 11,000 other virgins she was leading on a crusade, etc. etc. etc.) but Wilgefortis' father was so enraged he had her crucified.
She was venerated by women seeking to be liberated from abusive husbands. I've always said it - there are worse things than being single...I could be single with an unwanted suitor. Or unwanted facial hair. Or a ridiculously ugly dress...
5 comments:
How many grandmas have grown that same beard sans miracle or Pagan suitor?
1. Garrett - SO cruel.
2. Todd Britsch would be so proud of your memory. Many Art History classes have finally borne fruit in this post. Who says Humanities is a worthless major?
3. What a wonderful trip. So glad for both of you.
Thanks to genetics, I look forward to plucking that same beard/mustache in about thirty five years. Also what's with that weird hoop like protrusion towards the bottom of the ugly dress?
Yeah, so? I have a beard too, but you don't see me braggin' about it.
Garrett, Lisa and Susan - those are excellent points. I say we band together and give Wilgefortis a new group to be patron saint over - those who cannot afford laser hair removal!
Mom - it's true. Todd would be proud that I have put my education to such excellent use.
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